"May the Goddess bless you, Mr. Gascoigne."
The missionary Nelson Sharp drew the outline of the Crimson Moon on his chest with four taps as soon as he saw Luther. "May its crimson light always shine upon you, bringing you compassion and peace."
At the sight of that gesture, Luther's expression turned peculiar for an instant.
I almost returned the gesture...
"I called you here because you belong to the Church of Evernight, not the Loen Military," he said, quickly composing himself. "Under the rules I've set, you may leave without paying a ransom."
He was, after all, still in charge of the Backlund Diocese. Demanding a ransom from the Church for Sharp would be rather inappropriate. Whether or not the Goddess would take offense, it would never get past Lady Arianna.
"Thank you very much."
Sharp bowed his head. As a representative of the Church of Evernight, he conducted himself with considerable grace.
When he straightened, he could not help looking again at the scarlet figure across from him, curiosity in his eyes.
This legendary Blood Bishop, whose name inspires such fear in Loen, doesn't seem as brutal as the news reports claim. He actually seems to have principles... Perhaps I can get through to him. If I try hard enough... maybe
I can bring him into the Goddess's light...
In that instant, Nelson Sharp's instincts as a missionary overcame his reason.
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Upper-upper A1
"Mr. Gascoigne, may I have a moment of your time?"
"I'd like to tell you about the guide and beacon of my life, the haven where all souls find peace: the great Evernight Goddess..." he said earnestly.
"Hah! You've got some nerve, kid!"
Anderson cut off Sharp's preaching with a scoff. "You haven't even made sure you're safe, and you're spreading your faith